The Saints came up with 2 interceptions in their own end zone (yes really!!) and two turnovers on downs to nurse a flimsy 7-0 lead, before going down 10-7 at halftime. They would then put a comprehensive drive together to make the score 10-10 in the 3rd quarter. It was a competitive game, one right there for the taking. Then, complete implosion. The offensive line in particular was most to blame for this. Turnovers on turnovers, combined with the defense losing steam and leaking yards like they love to do, resulted in a blowout. The Saints would score on the final play of the game to make a 39-10 loss look only slightly less embarrassing against a mediocre football team. Here are my notes below.
- The offensive line was a total shipwreck. Andrus Peat was only ok, though better than most of the line. Tim Lelito was horrible, Senio Kelemete struggled and Zach Strief was ok but gave up his usual killer sacks. Brees was under constant pressure and had no open receivers to go to. This offense was a disaster.
- The new players, punter Brandon Fields and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, were both disasters. Fields had a 13 yard punt at one point and “Hooman” lost a fumble. Nice job by this front office to once again bring in the wrong guys.
- The defense was bailed out by a few nice plays here and there but the pass rush continues to be a train wreck. Actually, it doesn’t even exist. Sam Bradford managed to throw two picks despite all day to throw. He was never under any duress. Bradford threw 45 passes and was never sacked. Well, he was sacked once by Cam Jordan actually but of course that was negated by a Brandon Browner penalty. Of course.
- Speaking of penalties, this secondary is awesome at it.
- Marques Colston left the game with an apparent arm injury but stayed in long enough to look terrible, again. But he had a criminal drop before that injury, too. He’s finished.
- Mike McGlynn came in for Tim Lelito towards the end. Not sure if that was performance related or due to injury. I’ll happily take McGlynn moving forward, though.
- The Saints continue to really struggle covering the tight end. I think it’s a combination of Stephone Anthony getting confused, David Hawthorne being rough in coverage, and scheme maybe. But if you play fantasy you’re probably smart to just find any backup tight end on the waiver wire and start him against the Saints.
- C. J. Spiller finished the game with 6 touches for 2 yards.
- Malcolm Jenkins played pretty well save one play where he was beat deep by Brandin Cooks.
- What happened to Brandon Coleman? His lone target was intercepted.
- Don’t know what else to say. This was one way traffic. The Saints’ offensive and defensive lines were both annihilated. There was only one result possible in this game when you consider the play up front. The Saints just don’t have the bodies up front on either side and it starts with that – plain and simple.
- I do think the play calling was poor. The Saints threw 43 times and ran 21. But they averaged 4.57 per carry. They really should have run the ball a lot more in this game.
Let’s just hope they show a better face at home Thursday night against the 5-0 Falcons because this could get very ugly and very depressing very fast.
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